Magazine

ABSTRACT

A magazine for storing and feeding paintballs to a paintball marker is disclosed. The magazine includes at least one channel that is open to an opening and a follower configured to travel within the at least one channel and contact a column of paintballs. The magazine can further include a door biased to cover the opening so as to prevent the paintball from passing through the opening. The magazine can include a retainer that is movable between at least a first position and a second position. The retainer prevents the follower from moving towards the opening when in the first position and allows the follower to move towards the opening when in the second position.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to feed systems for paintball markers, and, more particularly, to quick release magazines for use with bottom fed paintball markers.

2. Description of the Related Art

This invention relates to pneumatic paintball markers, which typically are used for target practice and in mock war games. The markers use a compressed gas, such as air or nitrogen, to propel spherical projectiles called paintballs out of the barrel of the device. Paintballs are typically comprised of a colored liquid enclosed in a fragile casing made from materials including gelatin and polystyrene. The casing can have different outer shapes. For example, paintballs have a round shape with a diameter of 0.50″ or 0.68″. Other paintballs have a front hemisphere for carrying the colored liquid and a hollow rear cylindrical section. The paintballs are designed to rupture upon impact to mark the target. Further, in military style war games, the players prefer that their markers have the appearance of a military weapon which is often fed ammunition from a magazine.

Typically, conventional loaders include a housing which is placed on an upper portion of the marker. The housing can be shaped to hold a large amount of paintballs. An outlet tube is typically located at the bottom of the housing through which the paintballs drop either by the force of gravity or by the force of a paintball feeding mechanism. The outlet tube can lead to the marker, where the paintballs are propelled outwardly from the marker by compressed air. However, the loader often blocks the sightlines down the marker and provides a large target for the other team to hit.

A reason to provide a feeding mechanism is that the feeding of paintballs only by force of gravity does not always work satisfactorily. The force of gravity only works when the marker is held in an upright or close to upright position, and consequently there is no feeding at all when the marker is tilted in certain angles since the paintballs then do not fall into the outlet tube. This problem can be avoided by providing a paintball loader mechanism which by force inputs the paintballs into the marker.

Another disadvantage of a conventional loader is that they are generally permanently affixed to the marker, meaning that the only way to reload paintballs once the loader is empty is to flip open a cap and pour paintballs into the loader. The steps involved in this operation include removing a paintball storage container from the player's vest or pod harness, opening the container and the cap on the loader, pouring paintballs into the loader, closing the loader cap and storage container lid, and re-stowing the storage container in the player's vest or harness. While each individual step may take only a few seconds, the cumulative time required to accomplish the operation can mean another player has time to target the player reloading his marker, and can be the difference between winning and losing a paintball game. Further, it requires dexterity to pour paintballs from the storage container into the loader. Paintballs are therefore often wasted when they are dropped on the ground during reloading.

Thus, providing a magazine which has a lower profile, can accept different shaped paintballs, and can be quickly engaged and disengaged from the marker remains a significant challenge in the paintball industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The devices of the present invention have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide several advantages over current designs.

One embodiment is a magazine for storing and feeding paintballs to a paintball marker. The magazine comprises a casing having at least one opening located near an end of the casing. The at least one opening is sized and shaped to allow a paintball to pass therethrough. The magazine further comprises at least one channel disposed in the casing and being open to the at least one opening. The at least one channel is adapted to hold a column of paintballs. The magazine further comprises a follower configured to travel within the at least one channel and contact the column of paintballs and a member disposed so as to bias the follower to move towards the opening. The magazine further comprises a door biased to cover at least a portion of the at least one opening so as to prevent the paintball from passing through the opening and a retainer disposed in the casing and being movable between at least a first position and a second position. The retainer prevents the follower from moving towards the opening when in the first position and allows the follower to move towards the opening when in the second position at least when the at least one channel is full of paintballs.

Another embodiment is a magazine for storing and feeding paintballs to a paintball marker. The magazine comprises a casing having a plurality of openings sized to allow a paintball to pass therethrough and a plurality of channels disposed in the casing. Each channel is open to one of the plurality of openings and being adapted to hold a column of paintballs. The magazine further comprises a plurality of followers configured to travel within the plurality of channel and being biased to move towards the opening and a plurality of doors being configured to reduce the size of each opening so as to prevent the paintball from passing through the opening. The magazine further includes a plurality of retainers disposed in the casing with each retainer be associated with one of the plurality of channels. Wherein movement of each door moves one of the plurality of retainers between a first position and a second position so as to selectively prevent the follower from moving towards the opening at least when the channel is full of paintballs.

Another embodiment is a magazine for storing and feeding paintballs to a paintball marker, the magazine comprises a casing having a top side and a bottom side and a plurality of channels and a plurality of slots therebetween with each channel being adapted to hold a column of paintballs. The magazine further comprises a plurality of openings in the top side of the casing with each opening being sized to allow paintballs to pass therethrough and a plurality of sliding doors disposed in the plurality of slots and being movable between a first position and a second position. The plurality of sliding doors reduces the size of the plurality of openings when in the first position so as to prevent the paintballs from passing therethrough. The magazine further comprises a plurality of movable retainers disposed closer to the bottom side of the casing than the top side and being configured to selectively prevent the columns of paintballs from moving towards the plurality of openings at least when the channels are full of paintballs and the plurality of sliding doors are in the first position, wherein each of the plurality of sliding doors and each of the plurality of movable retainers are coupled together via a linkage.

Another embodiment is a method of aligning an outlet of a magazine with an inlet port of a paintball marker. The magazine has a movable door blocking at least a portion of the outlet so as to prevent paintballs from exiting the outlet. The method includes coarsely aligning the magazine with a receptacle in the paintball marker. The inlet port is disposed in the receptacle. The method further includes contacting at least a portion of the door with the receptacle, inserting the magazine into the receptacle, and moving the door a sufficient amount as the magazine is being inserted into the receptacle to allow the paintballs to exit the outlet and enter the paintball marker.

Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will now be described in connection with embodiments of the present invention, in reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paintball marker engaged with a magazine that can be quickly engaged and disengaged from the marker according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the magazine from FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the magazine from FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the magazine from FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front side view of the magazine from FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a back side view of the magazine from FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the magazine from FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the magazine from FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a partial-cutaway, perspective view of the magazine from FIG. 2, shown with a first channel loaded with a column of paintballs and a second empty channel.

FIG. 10 is a partial-cutaway, side view of the magazine of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the magazine from FIG. 10 showing the door in the closed position.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the magazine from FIG. 2.

FIG. 11A is an enlarged view of the first body member from FIG. 11 showing the one or more grooves on the inner surface.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the retainer from FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an opposite end perspective view of the retainer from FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a follower from FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a door assembly from FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is an opposite end perspective view of the door assembly from FIG. 11.

FIG. 17A is a cross-section through the center of the pneumatic paintball marker and magazine of FIG. 1 with the lip or ridge of the marker in contact with the tab on the door of the magazine which moved the door to the open position.

FIG. 17B is an enlarged view of the engagement between the magazine and the marker from FIG. 17A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

Embodiments of the invention provide a magazine which has a lower profile, can accept different shaped paintballs, and can be quickly engaged and disengaged from the marker, and to prevent damage to paintballs stored in the magazine for long periods of time. The following description describes embodiments of the invention with reference to a bottom fed marker. Persons of skill in the art will understand, however, that the invention is not limited to bottom fed markers, and can be implemented on any marker having a magazine or ammunition housing. Similarly, any user of paintballs, in addition to recreational and sport players, can use the devices and methods described herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paintball marker 20 engaged with a magazine 22 that can be quickly engaged and disengaged from the marker 20. The view generally shows the left side of the pneumatic paintball marker 20. The paintball marker 20 comprises a body 26, a handgrip frame 28, and a buttstock 30. A barrel 32 is located at the front of the body 26. The marker 20 further includes one or more rails 34 which surround portions of the body 26 and/or barrel 32. At least a portion of the one or more rails 34 may be a Picatinny rail.

The marker 20 further includes a longitudinal bore which houses a reciprocating bolt assembly. The bore continues through the barrel 32 and out a muzzle end. A portion of the bore, called a breech, is located in front of the bolt assembly and receives paintballs to be fired. The paintballs enter the breech through an inlet port or opening 36 disposed on a bottom surface of the marker 20.

The marker 20 further includes a receptacle 38 disposed on a bottom surface of the marker 20. The receptacle 38 includes one or more walls which surround the inlet port or opening 36 into the breech. The receptacle 38 is configured to receive a portion of the magazine 22. The walls are sized and shaped to firmly engage with an outer surface of the received portion of the magazine 22 so as to maintain alignment between the magazine 22 and the inlet port 36 for paintballs to pass from the magazine 22 to the breech.

The magazine 22 can include one or more grooves 40 disposed on an outer surface of the casing 50 for receiving corresponding rails on the walls of the receptacle 38. A width of the groove 40 can be greater at an opening into the groove 40 and then narrows or tapers in a direction towards the end of the groove 40. In this way only coarse alignment of the magazine 22 with the marker 20 is required to initially engage the magazine 22 with the marker 20. As the magazine 22 is further engaged with the marker 20, the narrowing groove 40 guides the magazine 22 and more precisely align the magazine 22 and the marker 20 to feed paintballs to the marker 20. One or more recesses 43 are disposed in the magazine 22 and configured to engage with a lock on the marker 20 to maintain the magazine 22 in a fully seated position as explained below.

The magazine 22 can include one or more recesses 41 disposed on an outer surface of the casing 50 for engaging with a clip. The depth of the recess 41 can vary across the recess 41. In this way the clip need only be coarse aligned with the recess 41 to initially engage the clip with the magazine 22. The clip will further engage with the recess 41 as the clip slides across the bottom of the recess 41 towards the portion of the recess 41 with maximum depth. An exemplary marker 20 for use with the magazine 22 is also fully described in concurrently filed commonly owned U.S. patent application entitled “Paintball Marker”, which is expressly incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the magazine 22 from FIG. 1. FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of the magazine 22 from FIG. 2. FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and back views, respectively, of the magazine 22 from FIG. 2. FIGS. 7 and 8 are top and bottom views of the magazine 22 from FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is a partial-cutaway, perspective view of the magazine 22 from FIG. 2 shown with a first channel 60(a) loaded with paintballs and a second empty channel 60(b). FIG. 10 is a partial-cutaway, side view of the magazine 22 similar to FIG. 9.

With reference to FIGS. 2-9, the magazine 22 can comprise a casing or housing 50 for supporting paintballs 58. The casing 50 can have a first side shell member or first body member 52 and a second side shell member or a second body member 54. The first and second body members 52, 54 can be attached together via one or more fasteners. Fasteners included releasable fasteners such as screws and bolts as well as permanent fasteners such as glue and epoxy. The first and second body members 52, 54 can be made of any suitable material, such as but not limited to plastic or metal.

The magazine 22 is preferably at least partially symmetrical about a plane passing through the middle of the magazine 22. In this way the magazine 22 can engage with the marker 20 when the magazine 22 is in multiple orientations. For example, the magazine 22 in the illustrated embodiment can engage with the marker 20 with the front side of the magazine 22 facing in the same direction as the marker 20 or with the front side of the magazine 22 facing in the opposite direction as the marker 20.

The casing 50 comprises a top wall 64 with one or more openings 56(a), 56(b) formed therein. The one or more openings 56(a), 56(b) are sized and shaped to allow a paintball 58 to pass therethrough. A portion of each of the openings 56(a), 56(b) can be formed in both of the first and second body members 52, 54. When the first and second body members 52, 54 are joined to form the casing 50, the portions of each opening 56(a), 56(b) in the first and second body members 52, 54 together form the entire opening 56(a), 56(b). The openings 56(a), 56(b) can have any shape depending on the size and shape of the paintball 58. For example, the opening 56(a), 56(b) can have a D-shape, circular shape, square shape, or any other shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 56(a), 56(b) have a D-shape. The D-shape openings 56(a), 56(b) allow the magazine to 22 store different shaped paintballs 58 including symmetric and asymmetric paintballs. For example, the magazine 22 can store round paintballs 58 as well as paintballs that have a front hemisphere and a hollow rear cylindrical section such as first strike projectiles. The shape of the openings 56(a), 56(b) can indicate the proper orientation to load asymmetric paintballs 58 into the magazine 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the magazine 22 comprises two D-shaped openings 56(a), 56(b) with the curved portion of each opening facing the middle of the magazine 22. To load an asymmetric paintball such as a first strike projectile, the D-shaped openings 56(a), 56(b) indicate to insert the paintball 58 with the front hemisphere facing the middle of the magazine 22. Of course the magazine 22 is not so limited in that a single magazine 22 can have openings that have different shapes. For example, in certain embodiments, the magazine 22 includes one D-shaped opening and one round opening. Other combinations of shaped and sized openings fall within the scope of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the housing or casing 50 of the magazine 22 is curved to facilitate storage of paintballs 58 in the magazine 22 and uptake of the paintballs into the marker 20 during firing. A curved casing in contrast to a straight casing 50 may be more ergonomic when held by the user's hand.

As most clearly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each of the openings 56(a), 56(b) is aligned with a channel 60(a), 60(b) for storing paintballs 58 in the magazine 22. The opening 56(a) is aligned with channel 60(a) and opening 56(b) is aligned with channel 60(b). The channels 60(a), 60(b) are arranged in parallel columns within the casing 50 with each column being sized and shaped to receive and store a plurality of paintballs 58. In the illustrated embodiment, each channel 60(a), 60(b) can store ten paintballs 58. Of course the length of the magazine 22 can be increased or decreased to accommodate more or less than ten paintballs 58.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the stored paintballs 58 are disposed top to bottom in the channel 60(a). Of course the paintballs 58 need not be stored top to bottom and instead adjacent paintballs 58 could be offset from each other. For example, the column could have a non-linear path such as a zigzag pattern. To accommodate offset paintballs 58, a cross-section of the channel 60(a), 60(b) could be significantly greater than a width of the paintball 58 or the channel 60(a), 60(b) itself could follow a non-linear path.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the magazine 22 from FIG. 2. A bottom wall 66 of the casing 50 can include a removable access door 62. The access door 62 can be slidingly received in opposing grooves in the first and second body members 52, 54. Removal of the access door 62 provides access to the interior of the casing 50. The access door 62 is removed from the magazine 22 when slid in the direction of the arrow.

As most clearly shown in FIG. 11A, the casing 50 can further include one or more grooves 97 on an inner surface of the casing 50. The grooves 97 extend the length of the channel 60(a), 60(b). Preferably, the grooves 97 end on the inside of the top wall 64 and end on the inside of the access door 62. In this way, when the access door 62 is removed from the casing 50, the bottoms of the grooves 97 are open and accessible. In the illustrated embodiment, two grooves 97 are associated with each channel 60(a), 60(b) and are arranged on opposite sides of the channel 60(a), 60(b). In this way, one of the two grooves 97 associated with each channel 60(a), 60(b) is in the first body member 52 and the other one of the two grooves 97 is in the second body member 54.

The user selectively engages one of the openings 56(a), 56(b) with the inlet port 36 on the marker 20 depending on the orientation of the magazine 22 with respect to the marker 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 56(a) is registered with the inlet port 36 of the marker 20 when the front side of the magazine 22 faces the same direction as the marker 20. Because of the symmetry of the magazine 22, the opening 56(b) registers with the same inlet port 36 when the front side of the magazine 22 faces the opposite direction as the marker 20. Thus, if the user stores different types of paintballs 58 in each channel 60(a), 60(b), the user can select which type of paintball 58 to fire by orienting or rotating the magazine 22 relative to the marker 20 before engaging the magazine 22 with the marker 20. If the user wants to switch types of paintballs 58 or shoots all of the paintballs 58 in one of the channels 60(a), 60(b), the user can quickly disengage the magazine 22 from the marker 20, rotate the magazine 22 180 degrees, and re-engage the magazine 22 with the marker 20.

The front and rear sides of the magazine 22 each comprise a slot 68 configured to slidingly receive a door 70(a), 70(b). Each slot 68 can include two parallel tracks for receiving two outer edges of each door 70(a), 70(b). The doors 70(a), 70(b) can be made of any suitable material, such as but not limited to plastic or metal. The doors 70(a), 70(b) slide in a direction that is parallel to the tracks of the slot 68. The slots 68 extend along an upper portion of the front and rear sides of the casing 50 and towards the top wall 64. Near the top wall 64 the slots 68 curve and extend across a portion of the top wall 64 and across at least a portion of the openings 56(a), 56(b). The doors 70(a), 70(b) slide within the slots 68. The doors 70(a), 70(b) are preferably flexible so as to be able to follow the curved path of the slots 68. For example, the doors 70(a), 70(b) can include a series of parallel living hinges to facilitate the door 70(a), 70(b) bending as the door 70(a), 70(b) moves through its range of motion.

The doors 70(a), 70(b) are movable between multiple positions along the slot 68. In the illustrated embodiment, the doors 70(a), 70(b) slide in their respective slots 68 between a closed position, an open position, and a loading position. The loading position is between the open and closed positions. In the illustrated embodiment the door 70(a) is in the loading position while the door 70(b) is in the open position. In FIG. 10A, the door 70(a) has been slid to the closed position. The doors 70(a), 70(b) prevent paintballs 58 from passing through the openings 56(a), 56(b) when in the closed position. In the closed position, the openings 56(a), 56(b) are covered which also prevents dirt and other contaminants from entering the magazine 22. A user might move the doors 70(a), 70(b) to the closed position after filling the magazine 22 with paintballs 58 to protect the paintballs before the magazine 22 is engaged with the marker 20. As explained in connection with FIGS. 17A and 17B, as the magazine 22 is engaged with the marker 20, a tab 72 on one of the doors 70(a), 70(b) will catch a ridge 45 on the marker 20 and slide the door 70(a), 70(b) to the open position as illustrated by door 70(b).

A position of the doors 70(a), 70(b) between the open and closed positions is the loading position. When in the loading position the doors 70(a), 70(b) partially block the openings 56(a), 56(b) so as to prevent paintballs 58 from exiting the channels 60(a), 60(b) while allowing a user to insert paintballs 58 through the same opening 56(a), 56(b). When in the loading position, a user is able to quickly insert paintballs 58 through the openings 56(a), 56(b) and into the channels 60(a), 60(a) to form a column of paintballs 58. For example, the paintball 58 contacts a lip 75 on the door 70(a), 70(b) and slightly moves the door 70(a), 70(b) towards the open position to slightly increase the size of the opening 56(a), 56(b) and allow the paintball 58 to pass through the opening 56(a), 56(b). Once the paintball 58 passes through the opening 56(a), 56(b) and into the channel 60(a), 60(b), the door 70(a), 70(b) moves back towards the closed position until the door 70(a), 70(b) returns to the loading position. This movement of the door 70(a), 70(b) back to the loading position is facilitated by the door 70(a), 70(b) being biased to move towards the closed position. As will be explained below, an exemplary structure for biasing the door 70(a), 70(b) is a spring 90.

The doors 70(a), 70(b) further include a ridge 76 disposed so as to engage with a stop 78 on the casing 50 when the door 70(a), 70(b) is in the loading position. When the ridge 76 is engaged with the stop 78, the door 70(a), 70(b) is prevented from moving from the loading position to the closed position even though the door 70(a), 70(b) is biased by the spring 90 to move to the closed position.

A user can disengage the ridge 76 from the stop 78 by pressing an actuator 74 on the casing 50. Each door 70(a), 70(b) is associated with one actuator 74. A user can move or deflect the actuator 74 to a depressed or recessed position. As the actuator 74 is pressed towards the depressed or recessed position, the actuator 74 contacts the door 70(a), 70(b) with continued pressure moving the door 70(a), 70(b) slightly towards the middle of the magazine 22 so as to disengage the ridge 76 from the stop 78. Once disengaged, the door 70(a), 70(b) slides to the closed position due to the spring 90 bias. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 74 contacts the door 70(a), 70(b) at a location below the stop 78.

The actuator 74 is preferably resilient and moves away from the depressed or recessed position when not being pressed by the user. Thus, if the user moves the door 70(a), 70(b) from the closed position to the loading position the ridge 76 will automatically re-engage with the stop 78 preventing the door 70(a), 70(b) from moving further towards the closed position. Similarly, if the user manually moves the door 70(a), 70(b) to the open position and then releases the door 70(a), 70(b), the door 70(a), 70(b) will move to the loading position at which point the ridge 76 will automatically re-engage with the stop 78 preventing the door 70(a), 70(b) from moving further towards the closed position. In both cases, the user can release the door 70(a), 70(b) by pressing the actuator 74.

The magazine 22 can include a follower 80 for each channel 60(a), 60(b). The follower 80 can be made of any suitable material, such as but not limited to plastic or metal. Each follower 80 is configured to slide in one of the channels 60(a), 60(b) between the top wall 64 and the bottom wall 66. Each follower 80 can extend across a cross-section of the channel 60(a), 60(b) of the magazine 22. Of course the follower 80 may be sized smaller than the channel 60(a), 60(b). The follower 80 comprises a head 82 and a body 84. As most clearly shown in FIG. 14, the head 82 can have a hemispherical shape with a portion of the head 82 supporting the column of paintballs 58 disposed in the channel 60(a), 60(b). Of course the head 82 is not limited to the illustrated shape and can have other shapes such as planar or concave. For example, the head 82 can be in the shape of a protrusion, spot, ridge, and/or can have a flat, curved, slanted, angled, curvilinear, convex or concave shape. Further, the head 82 need not be symmetric and can have an asymmetric shape.

The follower 80 can be hollow and include one or more grooves 95 in the head 82 and body 84. It may be preferred that the follower 80 is lightweight to reduce the mass being moved by the spring 86. The grooves 95 can extend across the head 82 and body 84 and terminate at a location below the abutment surface 88. The grooves 95 can provide a catch for a portion of the spring 86 to minimize rotation of the spring 86 relative to the follower 80.

When the channel 60(a), 60(b) is empty and the door 70(a), 70(b) is in the open position, at least a portion of the head 82 can extend through the opening 56(a), 56(b) as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The portion of the follower 80 which extends above the magazine 22 can have various shapes or sizes. Preferably, the size and/or shape of the portion of the follower 80 which extends above the magazine 22 are selected so as to not interfere with the operation of the marker 20.

The magazine 22 can also include a spring 86 to bias the follower 80 in a direction towards the openings 56(a), 56(b) of the magazine 22. Each spring 86 is associated with a follower 80. The body 84 of the follower 80 is configured to engage with the associated spring 86. For example, the body 84 can have a diameter that is less than the diameter of the head 82 so as to provide an abutment surface 88. A portion of the spring 86 surrounds the body 84 with an end of the spring 86 contacting the abutment surface 88. The other end of the spring 86 contacts the access door 62 or other portion of the bottom wall 66. In this way the follower 80 is generally vertically movable within the magazine 22.

The follower 80 and spring 86 can be efficiently installed and removed from the magazine 22. Embodiments of the magazine 22 can allow a user to quickly and efficiently inspect the magazine 22 via the access panel 62 and remove the spring 86 and follower through the access panel 62. The ability to quickly access the interior of the magazine 22 is important should a malfunction occur when the user is on the field of battle.

The follower 80 can also comprise one or more engagement structures or shoulders 89. In the illustrated embodiment, each follower 80 includes two shoulders 89 on opposite sides of the follower 80. Each shoulder 89 extends in a radial direction from the head 82 and continues in a downward direction generally parallel to the body 84 of the follower 80.

Each shoulder 89 includes a contact surface 91 on an upper side of the shoulder 89. The follower 80 is disposed in the channel 60(a), 60(b) of the casing 50 with the shoulders 89 positioned in the grooves 97. As the follower 80 moves through the channel 60(a), 60(b), the shoulders 89 slide in the corresponding grooves 97 and guide the follower 80 between the empty and full positions. Persons of skill in the art will understand that other configurations are possible. For example, the follower 80 need not have any shoulders 89 and may merely be placed within the magazine 22 without engaging with the magazine 22.

A portion of the shoulder 89 closest to the body 84 defines a gap or recess 93 with the body 84. The recess 93 can be configured to receive a portion of the spring 86 therebetween and provide lateral stability to the follower 80. The recess 93 can further include a chamfered opening to guide the coils of the spring 86 into the recess 93 when the follower 80 is being moved away from the openings 56(a), 56(b) and compressing the spring 86.

To load paintballs 58 into one channel 60(a), 60(b) of the magazine 22, a first paintball 58 is positioned on top of the follower 80 in contact with the head 82. The user then pushes down on the paintball 58 until it catches the lip 75 of the door 70(a), 70(b), forcing the door 70(a), 70(b) slightly towards the open position, forcing the follower 80 in a direction towards the bottom wall 66, and partially compressing the spring 86 in the magazine 22. A second paintball 58 is then inserted into the magazine 22 by positioning the paintball 58 above the first stored paintball 58 and pushing down on the paintball 58 in a direction towards the bottom wall 66 until it catches the lip 75 of the door 70(a), 70(b), forcing the door 70(a), 70(b) slightly towards the open position, forcing the follower 80 in a direction towards the bottom wall 66, and partially compressing the spring 86 in the magazine 22. More paintballs are loaded in the same manner, pushing the follower 80 further down into the magazine 22 and compressing the spring 86 further with each paintball that is loaded. A magazine 22 configured for use in a marker 20 can hold as few as one paintball, eleven paintballs, or more than eleven paintballs in each channel 60(a), 60(b).

The magazine 22 can include a retainer 92(a), 92(b) for each channel 60(a), 60(b). The retainers 92(a), 92(b) can be made of any suitable material, such as but not limited to plastic or metal. In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 92(a) is associated with channel 60(a) and retainer 92(b) is associated with channel 60(b). Each retainer 92(a), 92(b) is configured to move in a channel between an extended position and a retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 92(a) is in the extended position and the retainer 92(b) is in the retracted position. When the retainer 92(a), 92(b) is in the extended position and the channel 60(a), 60(b) is full of paintballs 58, the retainer 92(a), 92(b) prevents the follower 80 from moving towards the opening 56(a), 56(b). In this way, if the channel 60(a), 60(b) is full of paintballs 58 and the retainer 92(a), 92(b) is in the extended position; the follower 80 is prevented from pressing against the column of paintballs 58. This is advantageous since long term storage of paintballs 58 if kept in compression can damage the fragile paintballs 58.

As most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, each retainer 92(a), 92(b) can include one or more arms 96 and a pedestal 98. Of course the retainer 92(a), 92(b) is not limited to the illustrated u-shape and can have other shapes. Each arm 96 includes a contact surface 100 on a lower side of the arm 96. The contact surface 100 on the arm 96 is configured to selectively abut the contact surface 91 on the follower 80. When the contact surface 100 is abutting or overlapping the contact surface 91, the position of the follower 80 is maintained near the bottom wall 66 and the column of paintballs 58 is not in compression. While the corresponding spring 86 is compressed and thus presses the follower 80 towards the openings 56(a), 56(b) and against the retainer 92(a), 92(b), the follower 80 does not press against the column of paintballs 58.

The retainer 92(a), 92(b) is in the extended position when the user begins loading paintballs 58 in the corresponding channel 60(a), 60(b). As the paintballs 58 are loaded, the spring 86 is compressed and the follower 80 moves closer and closer to the retainer 92(a), 92(b). When the user loads the last paintball 58 into the channel 60(a), 60(b), the bottom surfaces of the shoulders 89 on the follower 80 contact the angled surfaces near the ends of the arms 96 and forces the retainer 92(a), 92(b) to move towards the retracted position. Once the entire shoulder 89 moves passed the arms 96 of the retainer 92(a), 92(b), the retainer 92(a), 92(b) moves back to the extended position and locks the follower 80 in position near the bottom wall 66.

In contrast to the retainer 92(a) which is in the extended position, retainer 92(b) is in the retracted position. When moved to the retracted position, the arms 96 of the retainer 92(b) slide in a lateral direction away from the middle of the magazine 22 until the contact surfaces 100 and the contact surfaces 91 are not abutting or overlapping. When this occurs, the follower 80 is free to slide towards to the opening 56(a), 56(b) and compresses the column of paintballs 58. The corresponding spring 86 presses the follower 80 towards the openings 56(a), 56(b) and against the column of paintballs 58. Persons of skill in the art will understand that other configurations are possible.

The magazine 22 can also include a spring 94 to bias each retainer 92(a), 92(b) in a direction towards the extended position. Each spring 94 is associated with a retainer 92(a), 92(b). The pedestal, 98 of the retainer 92(a), 92(b) is configured to engage with the associated spring 94. For example, the pedestal 98 can have a diameter that is less than the diameter of the spring 94 to allow the spring 94 to surround the pedestal 98. An end of the spring 94 contacts the retainer 92(a), 92(b). The other end of the spring 94 contacts the inside of the casing 50 on the front and back sides of the magazine 22. The retainer 92(a), 92(b) is generally horizontally movable within the magazine 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retainers 92(a), 92(b) are linked to the doors 70(a), 70(b) via a linkage. For example, as most clearly shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, each door 70(a), 70(b) can include a rod 104 connected to a lower side of the door 70(a), 70(b). The rod 104 extends generally in a downward direction from the door 70(a), 70(b) and then curves slightly before reaching its distal end or tip. The rod 104 is configured to slide against the retainer 92(a), 92(b) so that certain movements of the doors 70(a), 70(b) will move the retainer 92(a), 92(b) between the extended and retracted positions. As the door 70(a), 70(b) is moved between the open and closed positions, the rod 104 moves in unison in a generally vertical direction.

In the illustrated embodiment the curved portion 106 of the rod 104 contacts a surface 102 on the retainer 92(a), 92(b) when the door 70(a), 70(b) is moved from the loading position to the open position. The surface 102 is at an angle relative to a plane defined by the movement of the retainer 92(a), 92(b) between the extended and retracted positions. The curved portion 106 of the rod 104 can match the angle of the surface 102. In this way, the contact area between the curved portion 106 of the rod 104 and the retainer 92(a), 92(b) is increased. Of course the disclosure is not limited by the illustrated embodiments.

As most clearly illustrated in FIG. 10, the door 70(a) and rod 104 associated with the retainer 92(a) are in the loading position. When in the loading position, the curved portion 106 of the rod 104 is not pressing hard enough against the surface 102 on the retainer 92(a) to overcome the spring 94. In this way, the spring 94 is free to keep the retainer 92(a) in the extended position. However, when the door 70(a) and rod 104 are moved towards the open position, the curved portion 106 of the rod 104 presses against the surface 102 at which point continued movement of the door 70(a) towards the open position causes the rod 104 to press harder against the surface 102 until the rod 104 reaches the position illustrated by the rod 104 associated with the retainer 92(b) in FIG. 10. As is illustrated, the lateral offset of the rod 104 due to the curved portion 106 allows the rod 104 to press sufficiently hard against the surface 102 and overcome the spring 94 to move the retainer 92(b) towards the retracted position. Once in the retracted position, the follower 80 is released and presses against the column of paintballs 58.

FIG. 17A is a cross-section through the center of the pneumatic paintball marker 20 and magazine 22 of FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 17A, the marker 20 further includes a ridge 45 and lock 42 disposed on the inside of the receptacle 38. The ridge 45 is positioned in the receptacle 38 and can have a generally raised rectangular shape. Of course the ridge 45 is not limited to a rectangular shape and can have other shapes.

A bottom edge of the ridge 45 is disposed so as to catch the door 70(a), 70(b) on the magazine 22 when the magazine 22 is partially inserted into the receptacle 38. The ridge 45 is configured to catch the door 70(a) when the magazine 22 is rotated so that the door 70(a) is closer to the rear of the marker 20 than the door 70(b). When the magazine 22 is rotated so that the door 70(b) is closer to the rear of the marker 20 than the door 70(a), the tab 72 on the door 70(b) is caught by the same ridge 45.

FIG. 17B is an enlarged view of the engagement between the magazine 22 and the marker 20 from FIG. 17A. The ridge 45 on the marker 20 is in contact with the tab 72 on the door 70(a) of the magazine 22. As the magazine 22 is inserted further into the receptacle 38 and eventually is fully seated in the receptacle 38 as illustrated in FIG. 17B, the ridge 45 drives the door 70(a) open via the tab 72 to allow paintballs to pass unencumbered from the magazine 22 to the marker 20. In this way, the feed rate of paintballs through the inlet port 36 is controlled by the marker 20. During the time the magazine 22 is fully seated in the receptacle 38, the door 70 (a), 70(b) in the magazine 22 stays open. As the magazine 22 is being removed from the receptacle 38, the door 70(a), 70(b) in the magazine 22 moves away from the ridge 45 in the receptacle 38 allowing the door 70(a), 70(b) to slide towards a closed position. The door 70(a), 70(b) need not reach the closed position and instead can stop at the loading position. When in the loading or closed positions, the paintballs remaining in the magazine 22 are prevented from being ejected from the magazine 22. Preferably the door 70(a), 70(b) is biased towards the closed position.

The lock 42 on the marker 20 engages with the recess 43 in the magazine 22 to maintain the magazine 22 in the fully seated position. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock 42 comprises a pivoting hook which is biased towards an extended position where the hook slightly projects into the receptacle 38. As the magazine 22 slides against the inner wall of the receptacle 38, the magazine 22 forces the hook to retract into the wall of the receptacle 38. When the magazine 22 reaches the fully seated position, the hook of the lock 42 is aligned with the recess 43 and returns to the extended position. When in the extended position, the lock 42 is engaged with the recess 43 and the magazine 22 cannot be removed from the receptacle 38.

To remove the magazine 22 from the receptacle 38, a user presses button 44. Actuation of the button 44 retracts the lock 42 back into the wall of the receptacle 38 and disengages the hook from the recess 43. The button 44 can be accessed from both sides of the marker 20. While the button 44 is actuated, the user is free to slide the magazine 22 out of the receptacle 38. Once the magazine 22 has been slid a sufficient distance so that the hook no longer is engaged with the recess 43, the user can release the button 44. Once released, the lock 42 may not move fully back to the extended position before the magazine 22 is removed from the receptacle 38 if the magazine 22 is still in contact with the lock 42. A user is then free to rotate the magazine 22 180 degrees and re-insert the magazine 22 into the receptacle 38 until the magazine 22 is fully seated. During insertion, the same ridge 45 engages with the tab 72 of the other door 70(b) to open the door 70(b). Once fully seated, the lock 42 engages with the recess 43 on the opposite side of the magazine 22 to maintain the magazine 22 in the fully seated position in the marker 20.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. As will be recognized, the invention may be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features may be used or practiced separately from others. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A magazine for storing and feeding paintballs to a paintball marker, the magazine comprising: a casing having at least one opening located near an end of the casing, the at least one opening being sized and shaped to allow a paintball to pass therethrough; at least one channel disposed in the casing and being open to the at least one opening, the at least one channel being adapted to hold a column of paintballs; a follower configured to travel within the at least one channel and contact the column of paintballs; a member disposed so as to bias the follower to move towards the opening; a door biased to cover at least a portion of the at least one opening so as to prevent the paintball from passing through the opening; and a retainer disposed in the casing and being movable between at least a first position and a second position, the retainer preventing the follower from moving towards the opening when in the first position and allowing the follower to move towards the opening when in the second position at least when the at least one channel is full of paintballs.
 2. The magazine of claim 1 further comprising a slot generally parallel to the at least one channel, the door being slidable within the slot.
 3. The magazine of claim 2 further comprising a rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the door and the second end being coupled to the retainer, the rod being slidable generally in a direction parallel to the slot.
 4. The magazine of claim 3, wherein the retainer comprises a contact surface, and wherein the rod includes a curved portion, the curved portion contacting the contact surface on the retainer so as to move the retainer towards the second position.
 5. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions forming the casing when joined together.
 6. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the member is a spring.
 7. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the door is coupled to the retainer so that when the door is covering at least a portion of the at least one opening the retainer is in the first position and when the door is not covering at least a portion of the at least one opening the retainer is in the second position.
 8. The magazine of claim 1 further comprising a spring, the spring being disposed so as to bias the retainer towards the first position.
 9. The magazine of claim 1 further comprising a spring, the spring being disposed so as to bias the door to cover at least a portion of the at least one opening.
 10. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the door further comprises a tab configured to catch the paintball marker when the magazine is coupled to the marker and to slide the door away from the at least one opening allowing the paintball to pass therethrough.
 11. The magazine of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening has a D-shape.
 12. A magazine for storing and feeding paintballs to a paintball marker, the magazine comprising: a casing having a plurality of openings sized to allow a paintball to pass therethrough; a plurality of channels disposed in the casing, each channel being open to one of the plurality of openings and being adapted to hold a column of paintballs; a plurality of followers configured to travel within the plurality of channel and being biased to move towards the opening; a plurality of doors being configured to reduce the size of each opening so as to prevent the paintball from passing through the opening; and a plurality of retainers disposed in the casing, each retainer be associated with one of the plurality of channels, wherein movement of each door moves one of the plurality of retainers between a first position and a second position so as to selectively prevent the follower from moving towards the opening at least when the channel is full of paintballs.
 13. The magazine of claim 12 further comprising a slot generally parallel to the plurality of channels, the door being slidable within the slot.
 14. The magazine of claim 13 further comprising a rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to one of the plurality of the doors and the second end being coupled to one of the plurality of retainers, the rod being slidable generally in a direction parallel to the slot.
 15. The magazine of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of doors moves in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of movement for the plurality of retainers.
 16. The magazine of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of followers comprises at least one shoulder, the shoulder being disposed so as to engage with one of the plurality of retainers at least when the channel associated with the retainer is full of paintballs and the door is preventing the paintballs from exiting the magazine through the opening.
 17. The magazine of claim 12 further comprising a locking mechanism that is operable to lock at least one of the plurality of doors in position when the door is preventing the paintball from passing through the opening.
 18. A magazine for storing and feeding paintballs to a paintball marker, the magazine comprising: a casing having a top side and a bottom side and a plurality of channels and a plurality of slots therebetween, each channel being adapted to hold a column of paintballs; a plurality of openings in the top side of the casing, each opening being sized to allow paintballs to pass therethrough; a plurality of sliding doors disposed in the plurality of slots and being movable between a first position and a second position, the plurality of sliding doors reducing the size of the plurality of openings when in the first position so as to prevent the paintballs from passing therethrough; and a plurality of movable retainers disposed closer to the bottom side of the casing than the top side and being configured to selectively prevent the columns of paintballs from moving towards the plurality of openings at least when the channels are full of paintballs and the plurality of sliding doors are in the first position, wherein each of the plurality of sliding doors and each of the plurality of movable retainers are coupled together via a linkage.
 19. The magazine of claim 18, wherein the linkage comprises a rod and spring, the spring biasing the sliding door in a direction away from the plurality of retainers.
 20. The magazine of claim 18 further comprising an actuator and a stop, wherein at least one of the plurality of sliding doors is engaged with the stop when in the first position, and wherein movement of the actuator disengages the sliding door from the stop allowing the sliding door to move from the first position to a third position, the sliding door covering one of the plurality of openings when in the third position.
 21. A method of aligning an outlet of a magazine with an inlet port of a paintball marker, the magazine have a movable door blocking at least a portion of the outlet so as to prevent paintballs from exiting the outlet, the method comprising: coarsely aligning the magazine with a receptacle in the paintball marker, the inlet port being disposed in the receptacle; contacting at least a portion of the door with the receptacle; inserting the magazine into the receptacle; and moving the door a sufficient amount as the magazine is being inserted into the receptacle to allow the paintballs to exit the outlet and enter the paintball marker. 